So, to get straight to the point, the one who killed Toma was his sister's husband.

It’s a cliché scenario, but the idea was simple: with Toma gone, his sister would gain control of the company, which in turn would lead to increased work orders for her husband's business. That seems to be the motivation.

I investigated anyone who had recently started spending extravagantly or had managed to pay off debts. Instead of casting a wide net, I focused on those in financial distress—people who wouldn’t have much to lose, even if caught. If this approach yielded no leads, I would’ve let it go, but thanks to Pal, we didn’t have to wait long.

We discovered a man deep in debt who had recently cleared all his dues. Upon further observation, we confirmed he had indeed paid off his loans, but not through any legitimate work. It was likely he’d taken on a shady job.

While keeping an eye on him, I saw him make contact with Toma's sister's husband—seemingly asking for more money.

Despite being drowning in debt himself, the husband had taken on additional loans, supposedly for "business expansion." However, there was no indication of any such plans. Most likely, the money was used to hire someone to kill Toma.

But the aftermath got messy. The hired killer began hounding the husband. While both had dirt on each other, the husband had much more to lose—his family and his business. To avoid exposure, he kept paying the man.

That’s the sequence of events, based on the evidence and deductions Pal and I gathered.

I wasn’t particularly concerned about proof. After all, I’m no law enforcer. My only goal was to punish the person who disrupted my journey. A little retribution for the trouble caused, nothing more.

A scruffy, unkempt man staggered out of a seedy bar.

He stepped into the street and began relieving himself. I silently crept up behind him, pressing a dagger against his throat.

"Wh-what the hell, man?"

"Answer my questions truthfully, and you won’t get hurt."

"Tch. You’re not just some thief, are you? A cop, then?"

"I’m no cop. Relax."

"What do you want to know?"

"You killed Toma, didn’t you?"

"Dunno what you’re talking about. I didn’t do nothin’."

I shifted the dagger slightly, drawing blood from his neck.

"I’m not here for games. Refuse to answer, and I’ll kill you here and now."

"...Fine. I’ll talk. Just back off a bit."

I eased the blade slightly, and in that moment, the man lunged to grab it.

I twisted my arm, slicing through his wrist.

"Argh!"

"Futile resistance only gets you hurt."

"Dammit!"

When he made another move, I slashed the tendons in his other wrist.

"Aaagh!"

"You’re no match for me. Learn your place. Now answer me: who hired you?"

"It was... Shuza! Toma's brother-in-law!"

That was all I needed to hear.

I left him there, nursing his wounds and probably bewildered by my departure. He wasn’t worth killing; with severed tendons, he wouldn’t be able to wield a weapon again. His life would be far harder now.

Pal appeared at my side, her movements as silent as a shadow.

"You’re too kind, Master."

"For not killing him?"

"Yes. Vermin like him deserve nothing less than death."

"He’s as good as dead. He’ll struggle to survive now. Killing him outright would’ve been merciful."

"His tendons might heal."

"Then so be it. It’s not my concern anymore."

Now, as for Shuza, my retribution will be fitting. I don’t plan to kill him. Instead, I’ll make his financial woes much worse. And for good measure, I’ll inform Toma’s sister of the truth.

I summoned Solderic.

"You called for me, Master?"

"I have a task for you."

"Command me, and it shall be done."

Ever since I helped Solderic and his companions avenge their past, they’ve insisted on staying by my side out of gratitude. Though I’ve told them they’ve repaid me enough, they refuse to leave.

"I need a set of loan documents—both the lender’s and borrower’s copies. One set will do."

"As you wish, Master."

While enjoying Pal’s peculiar form of affection and some tea at the hotel, Solderic returned with the loan documents.

"Here they are, Master."

I altered the amounts, adding an extra zero or two.

Crime? Perhaps. But who cares?

Shuza doesn’t keep records of his debts, and I now had the paperwork in hand.

"Sell these to the nastiest loan shark you can find, for a fraction of the face value."

"Understood."

Once the papers are in the hands of a ruthless lender, they’ll take care of the rest.

As for Toma’s sister, I’ll send her a letter detailing her husband’s crimes.

She may believe it or not—it’s of no concern to me. Whether she confronts Shuza, kills him, or chooses to ignore it, is entirely up to her.

With Shuza buried deeper in debt and the truth hanging over his family, my retribution is complete.

"Shall we continue our journey, then?"

"I’m not thrilled about where we’re headed, but wherever you go, I’ll follow, Master!"